Preventing torture and ill-treatment during COVID-19
2020 was a challenging year. The pandemic affected us all, with dramatic consequences for many.
COVID-19 highlighted structural issues and vulnerabilities in places of detention but also, in certain countries, ill-treatment in the enforcement of lockdowns and other restrictive measures.
And the repressive responses to public demonstrations and civil movements in different parts of the world showed the continuing relevance of the APT’s vision for societies without torture and ill-treatment.
Our new Strategic Plan 2020-2023 responds to these risks by working for fair criminal justice systems, protection for persons in situation of vulnerabilities, strong oversight of detention and raising more voices against torture.
Transparency. Dignity. Agility.
These three values helped us reshape our response to COVID-19, as Barbara Bernath explained in our end-of-year message to partners and supporters.
This annual report presents our work in 2020 to achieve changes in these areas, including:
We thank our partners for their trust and cooperation. Together, we can prevent torture.
Barbara Bernath
APT Secretary General
This year marked the start of new phase in the APT’s ongoing work to prevent torture and ill-treatment.
Our new Strategic Plan 2020-2023 builds on the expertise we have developed over the past 40 years. It draws on an analysis of the current global environment and on our understanding of how change happens.
Our goal is to build societies free from torture and ill-treatment. We focus on persons who are most at risk of being tortured, as well as those moments, practices or places where there are heightened risks.
We seek to drive change in four key areas: in criminal justice systems, for persons in situation of vulnerabilities, through new voices against torture and independent oversight of detention.
To achieve these changes, we work with a broad range of partners: oversight bodies, especially national preventive mechanisms, civil society, government, the judiciary, national human rights institutions and law enforcement.
While our operations focus on priority countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America, we have a global reach through digital engagement, online resources and communication initiatives delivered in our four working languages.
Our strong values and principles, as well as our commitment to partnerships, agility and innovation, form the basis of our identity and guide our work.
During COVID-19, we strengthened our digital engagement with partners and supporters
We provided support to 158 detention monitors from 64 countries with training and advice on detention monitoring in times of COVID-19
Over 3,000 downloads of our Practical Guidance on Monitoring during COVID-19
Our videos were viewed more than 10,000 times on social media and we recorded over 50% growth in followers across our three platforms
Two years ago, we embarked on a journey to transform our organisation and how we work with our partners.
We started our process of transformation by reflecting on our vision and mission, as well as our difficult financial situation. We asked ourselves: is the way we work today the best way to achieve our goals and build partnerships to drive change?
As a team, we revisited how we work, considered different options and chose to make agility a central principle. We overhauled staff portfolios and increased the responsibilities of each team member, from administration and finances to programme work and leadership. We invested in digital technology and established new ways to collaborate.
We also had to take some very difficult decisions, including cutting posts and not filling vacancies.
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated our transformation. We were able to respond quickly and strategically to the challenges posed by the pandemic and support our partners.
This process of transformation is only the beginning. We continue to reflect and adjust so we can be as effective as possible. We are committed to staff well-being and living our values of collaboration and inclusiveness.
Audrey Olivier-Muralt
APT Deputy Secretary General
President: Martine Brunschwig Graf (Switzerland)
Vice-Presidents: Michael Kellett (UK); Erika Schläppi (Switzerland)
Treasurer: Klaus Belzer (Switzerland)
Board members: Abdelwahad Hani (Tunisia), Cecilia Jimenez-Damary (Philippines), Krassimir Kanev (Bulgaria), Jacques Lederrey (Switzerland), Juan Mendez (Argentina), Merwat Rishmawi (Palestine/UK), Suzanne Soukoudé (Togo), Walter Suntinger (Austria)
In 2020, Jeehan Mahmood left the Board and joined our Advisory Board.
Staff: Sandra Andenmatten, Barbara Bernath, Benjamin Buckland, Alexis Comninos, Sylvia Dias, Catherine Felder, Veronica Filippeschi, Andra Nicolescu, Audrey Olivier-Muralt, Cecile Trochu Grasso, Shazeera Zawawi; supported by James Iliffe, Sara Vera López, Elena Maria Hernandez Martinez.
A big thank you to our colleagues who left the APT in 2020: Jean-Sébastien Blanc, Eva Csergö, Rachel Delapierre, Anne Lardy, Yasmine Shams.
We are grateful for the support of all our donors and supporters.
We ended 2020 in a positive financial position. This was mainly due to a lower operating budget than in previous years, as we decreased expenditure in response to COVID-19 restrictions. Our smaller secretariat also meant we had lower fixed costs.
The APT is grateful for the flexibility of our donors as we made necessary adjustments to continue implementing our projects during the pandemic.
A significant proportion of core funding enabled us to respond swiftly and effectively to the needs of our partners at this time. It also supported us to commence our 2020-2023 Strategic Plan and continue our organisational transformation.
In 2020, we benefited from pro bono support provided by highly qualified professionals in different fields. Their time and expertise helped improve our work around the globe.
We generated income through renting office space and fees for our advisory services on torture prevention.
Fundraising continues to be an institutional priority that should strengthen our financial stability in 2021 and onwards.
We are grateful for the support of all our donors and supporters. It allows us to stand for the dignity of people behind bars and those who work in places of detention.
Detailed financial statements are available here.